Chapter One

The Irishman sauntered up to the police tape in his blue forensic suit, kit in one hand and ID badge in the other. Despite only being qualified for a few months, he certainly wasn't lacking in the confidence department. This was only his fifth case, flying solo. So far the cases had been relatively simple: a couple of RTAs, one robbery and open and shut murder case.

Whilst he enjoyed his job, he had been hoping for something a little more exciting. West-Yorkshire had so far seemed pretty dull on the crime front and he when found himself drowning under mountains of paperwork, he found himself wishing for the occasional serial killer to liven things up a little. Still the MMA club he had signed up for looked pretty promising. He'd soon show these northerners a thing or two.

He stopped at the tape, looking the officer confidently in the eye "Jack Hodgson. Forensics," he said flashing his badge at the officer and giving the standard introduction. The officer grunted and nodded in response, holding up the tape up so Jack could duck underneath it.

"Body's up there," the officer said nodding towards a dilapidated farm building "DC Reed is the SIO,"

"Thanks," Jack said heading off in the aforementioned direction. As he walked up the dirt track, his forensic skills were keenly switched on taking in anything that could be of use to him in his investigation.

It was still early in the morning and the weak sun was only just beginning to break through the grey sky which seemed to characterise the whole of Yorkshire. The scene was on farmland, pretty isolated with only one main road leading to the scene of the crime. He grimaced as he noted the lack of CCTV or speed cameras around.

He approached the farm building to see an array of police officers and forensic experts milling around in the entrance.

"Forensics," he said greeting another man in a white suit

"Doctor Hart," the man said "I'm the pathologist on this case. Nice of you to finally turn up,"

"I got held up in traffic," Jack shrugged

"Yeah well tell that to the SIO," Doctor Hart told him "She's a real ball breaker this one," he said glancing around until his eyes fell on the brunette striding towards him "Forensics, Ma'am," he said introducing Jack

"You took your sweet time," the (not-unattractive Jack noted) woman said "DC Reed," she informed him "I'm the investigating officer on this case. Everything you do, you run by me first,"

"Yes boss," he said sarcastically giving her a mock salute accompanied by his trademark grin.

She sighed loudly "I can tell this is going to be so much fun," she said mirroring his sarcasm "Aren't you a bit young to be a forensic scientists?" she asked as they walked into the farmhouse

"Maybe," Jack shrugged "What can I say? I worked hard and I'm good at what I do,"

"I think I'll be the judge of that," she scowled at him clearly frustrated with his confidence

"100% success rate so far," he told her "I'm especially good at liaising with the police," Jack grinned

"Is that right?" she said raising her eyebrows

"I'm willing to share a few tips with you later over a drink," he tried

"Get on with your work" she said seemingly affronted by his come-ons, but Jack was sure he saw the briefest of smiles cross her lips.

"No chance of a de-brief later then?" he asked cheekily and she shook her head at him "Your loss,"

"I highly doubt it," she said "Get on with your work," she repeated "The sooner we're done here the sooner we can get back to bed and no that wasn't an invitation," Chrissie said before Jack could retort

"Shame," he muttered under his breath as she left him too it.

It looked like things were starting to liven up after all.